I just finished destroying my old knees on the trails between the towns of the Cinque Terre. Here are some haikus I wrote today, one an ode to my aging limbs. After 5 days of hiking along these trails cut into the mountainside along the rugged coasts of the Italian Riviera, I’m ready for some flat land.

twisted trails climb high
pastel towns bake in the sun
an old knee broken

wine glasses glow gold
sunset on surf-crashed beaches
red fills the night sky

stone church facing east
texting teens send pix to friends
icons of themselves

Edit: Rick Steves and other writers, as well as some respected tour guides, suggest only 2 or 3 days for the Cinque Terre.  I vacationed 5 days here (admittedly leisurely), but it really took its toll on my knees.  Nor was I alone.  I saw young people struggling badly on some of the steeper sections.  True, they were overweight young people, but nevertheless, I would caution against anyone who isn’t extremely fit trying to enjoy this scenery in such a short time, unless you forego the hiking between towns completely and simply take a train or boat between the cities.  If you plan to hike, are quite physically fit, and like to take time to smell the roses, take 5 to 7 days.  It’s worth it.